UNIT X- Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Unit X

.Blackpool pleasure beach trip.
10th March 2014

 The Launch of Unit X started with a trip to Blackpool Pleasure beach. To enable us to gather information on 'fairgrounds' we started to research the history of the park.I found this interesting as the park has been in the Thompson family from day one. The park was founded in 1896 when traveling fairgrounds were made from wood.This then progressed from the traveling fairground to the stationary 'amusement park'.

We looked at the archive photos from the park.I find all the old photos extremely interesting as it's changed drastically. This is an image from the 1930's where finalists of a beauty contest enjoy the roller coaster. One thing I noticed about this photo is that they don't have any safety bars physically holding them in except from one bar at the front, which they just had to hold onto, which now would seem absolutely erratic.I'm so intrigued by this image because of how unsafe the ride looks, yet the people on it seem totally oblivious.

The oldest ride on the park is the 'rockets on chains' this was opened on the 1st of August 1904. The park still has the ride for visual purposes only on top of the shop.I thought the ride would look more 'old fashioned' and dated than what it does as it was made in 1904, but it has been well looked after and the park don't throw anything away as it's all owned by the family. They are proud of the heritage.

I love how some of the roller coasters look aged,weathered and still made from wood.

I particularly like this image of one of the rides which was mainly a flat track. The rustic feel to it reminds me of the images of the roller coasters from the 30's, it gives a heritage feel to the park and a sense of nostalgia.

In places, the park has a totally different feel to the wooden structures, for example a newly introduced area called 'Nickelodeon Land' I find the contrast of colours completely mood changing and when you walk through this it brings you a sense of magic and nostalgia back to my childhood. The mix of the rustic wood from the roller coasters and the bright sharpness of nickelodeon land could work well together in a colour palette.

I find the history of the park interesting and how the park has changed through the years to the current time, it still has the feel of a retro amusement park in contrast with a more up to date contemporary theme.